Electric switch



5 H M H H E G R 0 E G G. B.- THoMAs ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Feb. 4 1922 ltl Patented Jan. 10, 11928.

TENT

Gl'ilURGE Bi THOMAS, @ll BRIDGEPORT. CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNUR TO THE BRYANT ELEG- TRIC COMPANY, ("3F BRIDGEPOBT, CONNEGTIEUT, A CORPQRATIUN F CONNEGTL ELECTRIC S'WITCH.

Application filed. February 4, 1922. Serial No. 534,194.

My invention relates to electric switches, and particularly to panel switches. One of the objects of my invention isto provide simple and eflieient means for rigidly spacing the combined standards and switch contacts by which the switch is supported from as well as electrically connected to the panel bus bars. y

lo the accompanying drawings llig. 1 is a side elevation of a switch in which my invention is embodied in one term;

Fig.

2 is a section on the line 22, Fl .1; 3 is asection on the line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4t is a perspective of the tie Web to which the switch standards are connected.

lln its main features the present switch is of standard type and comprises an insulating' switch base or block 5, from the corners of which depend the standards 6 by which the switch is supported -.trom the bus bars 7. The standards are independent of each other and are ordinarily free from each other at their lower ends, which are connected to the bus bars. Inasmuch as the latter are apt to be improperly spaced upon the panel base 8, or the tapped holes in the. bus bars iniproperly located for registry with the screw holes in loot pieces 9 ot the standards when the latter are in normal'position, it happens not infrequently that when the switch is installed the standards are bent or warped out oil proper position. The switch contacts 10 associated with the standards, are thus thrown out ext alignment with the cooperating switch blades 11. By the present invention 1 have provided means for tying the lower ends of the standards together in rigid, tired relationship, This construction ne cessitates the proper spacing of the bus bars on the panel base and the proper location of the taps therein for the securing screws. it also assures the exact registry of the switch blades and contacts, and thus the proper t'unctioninp; out the switch.

lo the construction illustrated, the foot pieces 9 of the. standards are not only otlset troin the standards, but are extended on op posite sides oil the switch outside the area defined by the switch block 5. They are also pierced at 12 in their outer area to accommandate the binding screws 13 by which connection with the bus bars is established. This location of the holes 19. outside the area oil the base 5 facilitates the manipulation of the screw driver by which the screws are set up. i

Underlying the several toot pieces 9 oi. the standards 6 is a tie web l l oft insulation, such as fiber, rubber, composition, mica or paper. To this web the several loot pieces are secured in any suitable manner. For example, it have indicated hollow rivets 15 passing through the holes 12 in the loot pieces, registering; holes in the web l l, and also tl'lrougrh washers 1t} underlyingthe web, and against. which the projecting ends of the rivets may be spread without danger of injury to the web. llnasmuch as the web is substantially rigid and practically incapable oi extension or buckling, it forms a rigid spacer which maintains the standards in fixed relationship. Precise registry of the contacts 10 and switch blades ll is thus assured. 'llhe exact spacing of the bus bars, as well as or the switch contacts, necessarily incidental to this construction, enforces conniliance with standard underwriters requirernents.

As a matter of convenience, each toot piece is pierced at a plurality of points, to accommodate bus bars ditterently spaced. lint in any event, the lateral spacing of the bars must conform to that necessitated by the spacing oil. the loot pieces by the spacer web M to meet the requirements of established electrical practice.

The particular construction of the switch mechanism does not enter into the present invention, and need not be described in dc tail. lit sullices to point out that it may he of standard type, mounted on a, frame 17 secured to the switch base 5 and operated by a switch lever 18 passing through the cover plate ill, which may be common to a battery switches mounted on the panel.

While ll prefer to use washers it} and tubular rivets ill, the spacing; web it may be secured to the loot pieces 9 of the standards in any suitable way, and other types of contacts and standards may be employed without departing from what I claim as my invention. Various modifications of detail and construction will readilyhe devised to accomplish the ends I claim, without departinn strain the scope of the invention.

I clahn- Ll. In a panel hoard switch, an insulating switch bloclz, a switch mechanism supported thereby and arranged below the same, stand til) ill)

switch block, a switch mechanism supported thereby and arranged below the same, standards by which said block is supported, switch contacts associated with said standards for cooperation with the switch mechanism, foot pieces offset from the ends of said standards remote from said base and adapted for mechanical and electrical connection to associated bus bars, together with sheet insulation engaging the foot pieces of the sererrl standards to rigidly anaint-ain their predetermined spacing and position with respect to the switch mechanism.

3. In a panel board switch, an insulating switch base, standards depending therefrom having offset feet at their lower ends for connection to bus bars, said feet extending laterally beyond the area defined by the switch base, in combination with a plate of insula tion underlying said feet. and secured thereto, said plate forming a spacer serving to maintain said standards in predetermined fixed relation.

4. In a panel board switch, an insulating switch base, standards dept-m" ing tlnretroni having offset feet at their lower ends for connection to bus bars, said feet extending laterally beyond the area detined by the switch base, in combination with a plate of insulation underlying said feet and secured thereto, said plate forming a spacer serving to maintain said standards in predetermined fixed relation, said feet and spacer being pierced in register to accommodate binding screws in the area outside that detined by the switch bar.

5. In a panel board switch. an insulating switch base, standards depending therefrom having offset feet at their lower ends for connection to bus bars, said feet extending laterally beyond the area defined by the switch base, in combination with a plate of insulation underlying said feet, said feet and insulating plate being pierced in register and united by hollow rivets in the area thereof outside that defined by the switch base.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification,

GEORGE B. THOMA S. 

